Orthotic Appliance with Adjustable Corrective Element Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current orthotic appliances lack the ability to provide continuously adjustable positioning of corrective elements, such as weights, for optimal therapeutic effect, and fail to maintain positioning during use outside a clinical setting.

Innovation Solution

The development of a wearable orthotic appliance with fabric panels held in compressive tension, featuring cavities or chambers that allow for the secure placement and continuous adjustment of corrective elements, utilizing differential compressive tension to maintain positioning and provide enhanced therapeutic effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If discrete pockets are used to hold weights, then weights can be positioned at fixed locations, but continuous adjustment of weight position is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability of corrective element positionVSAvoidstructure for positioning corrective elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the restrictive pocket structure and extracts only the essential function of holding weights. Instead of fixed pockets, the garment provides an open cavity formed by the garment layers themselves, allowing weights to be placed and held without structural constraints, enabling continuous position adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from static fixed pockets to a dynamic system where weights can be continuously repositioned. The garment structure allows weights to be moved to any location within the cavity and held in place through compressive tension that adapts to the weight's position, providing dynamic adjustability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If additional clinches or straps are added to maintain weight positioning, then weight position is secured, but the appliance becomes heavier and less comfortable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance of corrective element positioningVSAvoidweight of orthotic appliance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The garment structure itself provides the positioning function through its compressive tension. The layers of the garment create a cavity that naturally holds weights in place through the tension already present in the compression garment structure, without requiring additional active components like straps or clinches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the weight-holding function with the existing compression garment structure. The same fabric layers that provide compression also form the cavity and maintain weight positioning, eliminating the need for separate positioning mechanisms and reducing overall weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If discrete pockets are used for weight placement, then manufacturing is simplified, but therapeutic precision is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning precision of corrective elementsVSAvoidconstruction complexity of positioning structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies different functional qualities to different regions of the garment. The cavity region is designed to accommodate and precisely position weights through differential compressive tension, while maintaining the overall simplicity of the compression garment construction. This allows high positioning precision in the therapeutic area without increasing overall manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables precise and adjustable placement of corrective elements for improved neuromuscular balance and stability, maintaining positioning during use and allowing for easy reconfiguration, thus enhancing therapeutic outcomes and user comfort.

Implementation Method 1

fabric panels held in compressive tension when worn by a user

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompressive tension: Compression

Implementation Method 2

utilizing differential compressive tension to maintain positioning

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDifferential compressive tension: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS20210322197A1Orthotic appliance with continuously adjustable positioning of corrective elements

Publication Date: 2021.10.21 MOTION THERAPEUTICS

AI summary

A wearable orthotic appliance to which at least one corrective element for correcting neuromuscular imbalances may be removably attached is made of fabric assembly held in compressive tension when worn by a user, the fabric assembly including a cavity or chamber into which the corrective element may be placed and secured at any of a plurality of continuously-adjustable positions. Maintenance of the corrective element position during use of the appliance may be assisted by establishing a compression gradient over selected areas of the appliance during assembly. The wearable orthotic appliance may be a shirt, vest, body suit, or other garment or article of clothing, and the corrective elements may be weights, electrodes, or other discrete elements whose therapeutic effect depends on proper positioning relative to the wearer's torso or other body parts.